Aurora Police confirms Tren d’Aragua involved in home invasion

Aurora police have confirmed that several members of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren d’Aragua (TdA) were involved in an “unbelievably violent” armed home invasion and kidnapping that left two victims seriously injured at an apartment complex this week.

“I will say without a doubt, in my opinion, that it is ToA activity. Some of these individuals have been identified as TdA gang members,” said Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain. “It’s something we’re working very closely with our partners at HSI (Security Investigations National) and DHS (Homeland Security) to establish their relationship with gangs.”

Chamberlain said authorities have little way to confirm a suspect is a member of TdA, since gang members typically don’t broadcast their affiliation.

“It’s a real challenge trying to say, ‘Hey, 100 percent, you’re a gang member,'” he said.

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Chamberlain said it wasn’t a “big step” for him to identify them as members of the notorious Venezuelan gang.

“But when you look at the circumstances of it, when you look at the events of it, when you look at the people involved in it, when you look at the veracity and the violence involved in it, again, it’s not a big step for him to say they’re members from the TdA gang,” he said.

Gang members allegedly forced their way into a couple’s apartment at the Edge at Lowry Apartments The suburbs of Denver and bound, beat, stabbed and kidnapped the victims, leaving them hospitalized. The perpetrators also allegedly stole jewelry from the victims.

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While the department cannot yet confirm whether the 19 suspects arrested in the incident are members of TdA, Chamberlain said he could categorically confirm that several are part of the gang that has been terrorizing Aurora residents in recent months .

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Chamberlain said one of the arrested TdA members was also involved in the violent seizure of the apartment in Aurora earlier this year.

According to Chamberlain, this was not an isolated incident. He said TdA members and their affiliates regularly abused the couple and extorted $500 from them every two weeks. He believes the couple were not the only victims intimidated and extorted by gang members.

Chamberlain also said Aurora police are fully cooperating ICE, DHS, and Homeland Security Investigations to determine the identities and possible gang affiliation of those involved in the incident.

A total of 19 suspects were taken into custody for questioning, three of whom have since been released and eight of whom are now in ICE custody. He said eight are still under investigation.

“These pending charges range from second-degree kidnapping, aggravated robbery, first-degree assault, extortion and theft,” he said.

The police have not released the names of the 16 arrested.

The police chief reiterated that authorities did not carry out a “mass escort” of suspects, but went door-to-door to thoroughly investigate all parties involved.

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During a press conference, Chamberlain emphasized that Aurora police would respond to calls and help any victim in trouble “regardless of immigration status.”